However, the cricketer insists there’s ‘no animosity’ between them and his comment about having ‘25 years of ballroom experience’ was simply a joke.

Graeme told Metro.co.uk at the Pride of Sport Awards on Thursday evening: ‘I rubbished that, I said don’t read the title or headlines. I didn’t say anything to anyone, it was a joke.’

Graeme ended up in the bottom two with Ashley last weekend (Picture: BBC One)

Confirming that he and Ashley have cleared the air, Graeme continued: ‘Yeah absolutely, but she realised it wasn’t [a swipe] as well. Unfortunately, people like to sell papers and make up headlines. It’s the way of the world, if only people were happy instead of trying to pick fights.

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‘There certainly isn’t any animosity between me and anyone.’

Please don’t believe any of the tiresome headlines about me having a ‘swipe’ at @ImAshleyRoberts or @bbcstrictly. I love everything about the show and everyone on it, my glorious adventure came to a natural happy ending and I have no bitterness in any way shape or form. 🕺🏼💃😁👍

Referring to his dance partner, Obi Matuse, who accompanied him on the red carpet, Graeme jokingly added: ‘I had a whale of a time, left on the best of terms with everyone – even my partner.’

It comes after Graeme shut down the swipe claims on Twitter, stating that he ‘loved everything about the show and everyone on it’ and has left Strictly with ‘no bitterness’ towards any of his fellow celebrity contestants.

Graeme and his dance partner Oti are heading out on the Strictly tour next year (Picture: MEGA)

After losing his place in the competition, Graeme had said during the live episode: ‘Secretly I’ve had 25 years of ballroom experience, but I kept that to myself.’

Graeme ended up in the bottom two with Ashley last weekend, despite the former popstar and her dance partner Pasha Kovalev scoring the third highest score from the judges. The pair were forced to perform their samba to Hot Hot Hot again, which won the judges over.

It’s not entirely over for Graeme and Oti as the pair will reunite for Strictly’s upcoming tour in 2019. Sharing his excitement for the jaunt, Graeme tweeted: ‘I’m positively bursting with excitement to be joining the @SCD_Live_Tour in the new year. Sadly my amazing partner from the series @OtiMabuse cannot tour as she is taking over the world of dance but instead I get to dance with the incredible @karen_hauer What a silver lining!’

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